Don't be dissuaded by this difficult battle; Minos is probably the game's toughest boss. If you learn the demonic judge's tricks you'll be able to defeat him. Most of this battle is spent dodging his various attacks.

He'll start out with a flurry of tail attacks. You should get used to running in a wide oval from the left side of the screen to the right to avoid these jabs. You want to end up at one end of the area under the grapple points so you can quickly dodge his next attack.

Following his tail attack, Minos will bring his head down and emit deadly breath. You'll be given the option to grapple out of the way of this, but you need to be on the side of the battle area to get the prompt.

After he breathes, drop down and attack his head. Use a few normal slashes, then hold HEAVY SLASH, which would normally launch an enemy into the air. If you do this you may avoid his tongue attack and deal some additional damage.

If you screw up, his tongue will pin you and you'll have to use the LEFT STICK to dodge his jabs while you are pinned.

If you wound his head enough after a breath, you'll cause Minos to reel backwards, exposing his red belly. This is where you can deal the most damage. Use magic and heavy attacks liberally.

After this, Minos will call enemies forth. These are initially just Minions, but eventually he'll call Guardian Demons and Unbaptized Children. He won't attack during these phases. Try to get some health out of the enemies by Absolving/Punishing them.

Minos will then enter his slamming attack phase, where he'll pound the area with his arms. While you can avoid his direct pounds by running and jumping, you'll have to double-jump over the arm sweeps to avoid them.

When he sets his arm down at the edge of the battle area, double jump towards the arm as it sweeps under you. After the slam attacks, Minos will occasionally perform an intense slam that you can avoid by grappling the side of the level. If you make it to the grapple point you'll be able to drop down and activate the prompt over the hand.

Follow the button prompts and you'll yank out one of Minos's eyes. You need to do this to both eyes. The long cycle of attacks will repeat itself, so getting to know the pattern outlined above is the only way to survive this lengthy battle.

After dealing damage to both eyes and felling Minos several times, he'll collapse with an Instant Kill prompt over his head. Follow the prompts to put an end to his gruesome reign.